Monday, February 27, 2012

This little beauty came into the shop today for a repaint. The sign is from the 1920's or early 1930's. Reed and Bell was the only A&W franchised diners to use a different name. Reed and Bell went from 1924 to 1945, when A&W bought them back out. The two sign faces are lettered over glass, and lit from the inside. I'm not sure how that looks, as paint is opaque, it must just put off a dull glow. I almost don't want to restore this sign, (because it's earned it's age) it looks so cool, but the owner wants it done, and I guess I'm that guy. Looking forward to the process, and feel honored to be a part of it all...

Thursday, February 23, 2012

What a killer set up! I love these 9 foot bed trucks, and have been sort of searching for one for a while. When I wasn't looking years ago (while looking for short beds), I ran across a few, now days, not so many. This is the ultimate camping, Drag Racing, Bonneville or anything else rig. I want one!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I can remember as a kid, seeing many guys hauling their livestock in the bed of their trucks. I would love to find one of these old bed racks. But with all of the ranches that I have been on, and all of the scrap piles I have crawled through, I have never seen one. Interesting, perhaps they were all re-purposed as trailers became more the norm.

The first and only time that I went into Mean Marshal's bike shop in Oakland, I saw Fonzie's Triumph in the front showroom, with a couple of other bikes. It was the early 90's, and I was there looking for a stock style Bonneville tank for a 67' hardtail custom that I was putting together. Once Marshal came up front, and asked what I was looking for, I told him that it didn't necessarily have to be the "correct" 1967 tank, as I was building a chopper... He turned and walked away from me yelling " we don't do choppers", and then told me to "leave his f-ing shop"! I was a bit shocked, and all that I could think to yell back was "Fonzie's bike is a chopper". Anyhow, the guy was a dick, but Fonzie's bike was very cool. Right after that, I found Raber's in San Jose, and never looked back...

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Saturday, February 11, 2012

I was asked to Leaf, Letter and Stripe the Revolution 2 drag rail for Pete of the Saints car club. The body and paint was handled by Darin and Danny at A&H Customs. Pete's father was good friends with Mike Mitchell, and so this car is a tribute to the now famous original, and the man himself. As usual, I can't wait to see this under clear, I will put pictures up once it's sprayed.

Kevin stopped by today to show me this beautiful little 56'. This bike is wearing it's age SO well, I was instantly taken with it. The tank has some cool old water transfer pinstripe decals (prob. Ed Roth). I tried trading many things that I own, but as of yet, no deal. So nice...

"Pride In Tradition"

*Celebrating 25 Years!
Traditional American Hand Lettering & Design. Gold Leaf, and striping.
I have had cars and bikes that I lettered or striped covered in Rodders Journal, Hot Rod, Rod & Culture, Hot Rod Deluxe, Speed & Chrome and various other magazines.
I have been lettering since 1989, I learned from Tom Greene, a longtime sign man from the East Bay Area. He learned from Bill Pendlan & Tommy the Greek. Some combined 100+ years of "Old Time" knowlege, passed my way. With this blog deal, I aim to show some of my jobs, art, friends, and daily passings....